Monday's poll of polls shows that 7 percent of voters are undecided - enough to push either candidate over the top.

With the election less than two months away, the candidates have limited time to sway undecided voters who hold the election in their hands.

According to John Avlon, author of "Independent Nation: How Centrists Can Change American Politics," independent and swing voters are looking for a break from the Bush administration.

"What they're looking for in this campaign is a candidate who's going to end the hyper-partisanship in Washington and who's going to have credibility on reducing spending, but also sort of the antidote to the Bush administration," he said on CNN's "American Morning." "They've been - instead of fiscally conservative - fiscally liberal and socially conservative, and that's the opposite of what independents and swing voters want."

Change essentially means new people and new policies, said Bill Schneider, CNN's senior political analyst.

"It's exactly the theme that people want for this year after eight years of the Bush administration," he said. "But the big puzzle in this election is - what's the best way to get that?"
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soundoff(171 Responses)

Candace- Texas

How the heck can Bush determine or even have a comment about McCain's pick?? His experience as a governor didn't help him in the White House obviously. Look who he picked for a VP???? that should tell you enough that McCain's pick for VP is just as wrong as Bush is! She is nothing but another another Bush and will be the one in the White making the excutive decisions not McCain! and that is a very scary thought! Just like Dick Cheney runs the White House and makes all the calls...she will be running McCain and telling him what to do! This is sickening!!!!

September 8, 2008 03:45 pm at 3:45 pm |

GIGI IN LA

T H E---D I F F E R E N C E--I S---T H A T--M C C A I N--

P A L I N--H A V E---T H E ---T R A C K-- R E C O R D--

T O--–P R O V E --–I T

September 8, 2008 03:45 pm at 3:45 pm |

Elliot. NY

Dems.-here's your problem:

You are trailing in the polls-Sarah Palin rules.

McCain/Palin 08

Sarah Palin 12 & 16

September 8, 2008 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |

Xavier, Saint Louis, Missouri

The GOP is a bunch of stooges, John McCain is a joke and Sarah Palin is the punch-line!

NO WAY, NO HOW, NO MCCAIN & PALIN!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

YES WE CAN!

September 8, 2008 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |

Obama Supporter from FL

Exactly. Swing voters don't want socially conservative views!

That's why I could never in a million years vote McCain-Palin – because she is an extreme social conservative. If McCain had picked someone else, he could have had a chance with this Independent.

September 8, 2008 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |

P O Dubya

McCain and Palin

A Bridge to Nowhere

September 8, 2008 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |

The Nightingale Sings in Berkley Square

I see O bama is crying again. Won't it ever stop/ How about some cheese Obama

If you think Palin is tough wait til you meet Putin.

You are so green it is pathetic,

Go McCain

September 8, 2008 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |

Rodham Democrat

The only change about John McCain is that he changed himself this year to appease the extreme right-wing of his party.

Sen. McCain is becoming more like Gov. Palin.

Shouldn't the VP candidate become more like the presidential candidate than the other way around?

September 8, 2008 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |

Doris,Memphis, TN

There is no honor amongst thieves. They are trying to steal "change
theme" from Obama because experience was not working.

September 8, 2008 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |

Breck

McCain and Palin do not stand for change. McCain is a Bush Partisan, and Palin does not differ from the Right on anything. They are jokes.

Obama/Biden 08. The change we need.

September 8, 2008 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |

Shari, NY

The fact that the slogan "change" was stealthily adopted by the RNC is proof their chosen ones are incapable of thinking for themselves.

September 8, 2008 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |

Jason in AZ

Who are these people that are being polled? I really find it hard to believe that McShame is leading in the polls. These polls are just to make news and make everyone think oh my God what are people thinking when they are going to vote for McCain. I find it really funny too that McCain is ripping off Obama's platform. Only after McCain realized that he is not going to win did he decide to change his thinking and steal Obama's idea of change. What a joke McCain is and I think that everyone knows that he doesn't stand a chance when we all vote in November.

Obama-Biden '08

September 8, 2008 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |

Candace- Texas

CNN you are being so biased....where is Obama???? He has not been a main headline in about a week....Palin is not running for President...Obama is...let us hear and see Obama more!!!! We don't care about the VP's...they need to be in the back ground... America needs to see that the choice is clear... between McCain and Obama!

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

Michael

Talking change is great, but how about talking to the media? Sign the Interview Sarah Palin Now petition!

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

Rodger

There is no change here...the same lies, same call for their version of change(change the facts) The Republican party has gone back in time to the 19th Century.

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

Roger

Obama voters–spending time countering these articles is a waste of your time. Make a contribution, volunteer, talk to undecided voters. Preaching to the choir or countering MCSame Kool-Aid drinkers here and elsewhere is a waste of time. The stakes are too high in November. Just remmber that John and Sarah, like most Republicans will say anything or do anything to get elected. For Republicans, it is not about government, in which they don't believe anyway, it is about power.

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

John in Ohio

Bush deregulated the mortgage industry.

And now we are where we are with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Is the American public capable of learning from their mistakes, or will they vote for a Republican again and expect different results?

McCain has a track record of voting with Bush 90% of the time. Palin has a track record of cutting funding for critical social programs, fighting to get earmarks from Washington, and pushing a far-right Christian fundamentalist social agenda.

Moderate my rear end.

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

Chi4Obama

Sarah Palin is nothing more than a "concept" , invented by the Republican party.Kind of like what "Mrs. Butterworth" is to syrup; or "Ronald" is to McDonalds.

She is nothing more than a "faceperson" for the GOP. They only put her on the "ticket", for the purpose of pandering to women and conservative voters.

She is not even qualified to govern a "major" state in this country

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

Old Fart

Or you could just make stuff up, lie to the voters, deny your own record, etc. Kinda like what the Repugnicants are doing.

McCain: Putting the "Old" in Grand Old Party.

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

ERIC

I hope Palin gets the midnight call. This "Warrior for God" has exclusive rights to nucular decisions?....OMG!

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

JB

Did anyone read People magazine this week? Palin talks about being pregnant with her youngest, Trig, and about how she didn't tell anyone about her pregnancy because she wasn't sure if she was ready for a special needs child. This sounds to me like she was ashamed and had to make the decision on whether or not she would either a)abort or b) give the child up for adoption.

The point is, is that we live in a country where we have the freedom to make that decision, and she wants to take that CHOICE away from any other woman!

Please print CNN!

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

NickNas

GIGI IN LA September 8th, 2008 3:45 pm ET

T H E——-D I F F E R E N C E——I S——-T H A T——M C C A I N——

P A L I N——H A V E——-T H E ———T R A C K—- R E C O R D——

T O——–P R O V E ——–I T

MODS WHY DO YOU ALLOW THIS????

BTW SARAH FAILIN IS ABOUT TO GET A "RECORD" ALRIGHT tick tock tick tock

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

The Voice

I guess America wants more of the same for the next four years, not suprised how stupid we are.

September 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

Rodger

There tract record confirms their lies!

September 8, 2008 03:50 pm at 3:50 pm |

Anonymous

One kid named after a hunting skill. One named after the city where ESPN (Palin's true aspiration) is based. One whose second middle name is Van (Trig Paxson Van Palin) so it sounds like Van Halen.